Vol. 449 No. 4
201 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications in view of public concern about the quality of An Post's delivery times in the Dublin area, the measures, if any, he will take to ensure a return to the traditional early morning delivery of post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3715/95]
Normally matters such as An Post's delivery times would fall within the day-to-day administration of the company. However in view of the concern that exists about delivery times I have obtained a report from An Post on the matter.
As the House is aware An Post, as part of its recovery measures to reduce costs and improve profitability, implemented in January 1994 a programme of changes in the arrangements for the distribution and delivery of mail. The changes affected operations in Dublin and country areas and were the most far reaching since the introduction of postal services in the last century.
The revised arrangements meant that some customers, particularly in the key business areas of Dublin, were not having their mail delivered as early as they would like. An Post were fully aware of the problems relating to deliveries in the Dublin area and addressed those problems by deploying additional vehicles and staff, by breaking up delivery routes and by providing a collection facility to enable businesses, which may wish to do so, to pick up their own mail early in the morning.
I am informed by An Post that the present position is that 60 per cent of all mail in Dublin is delivered by 10 a.m. each morning. However business customers have told An Post that they would wish to have mail delivered no later than 9.30 a.m.
The company and the union representing the staff working in the district offices serving the Dublin business areas are in agreement that the customers needs must be met and they are working to achieve this.
Each of these district offices is being reviewed with a view to implementing any changes necessary to improve the time mail is delivered in the business areas. This process is at an advanced stage.
The company is aware of my concern that the changes introduced in January 1994 are taking so long to become fully effective and I have been assured that An Post is seeking an early resolution of outstanding problems.
